As the new school year starts, Chicago Public Schools yellow buses will be upgrading to new technologies including GPS, mobile data terminals (MDT), and adding hybrid buses.
With the help of a $1 million federal EPA program to upgrade bus fleets, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system seeks to update its buses to make them more tech-savvy and green. CPS intends to have its 1,600-bus fleet upgraded with clean technology and GPS capabilities.
The ability to monitor the location of buses will add to the safety of students as well as make operations more efficient. Mobile Data Terminals will be able to track special needs students to ensure they are picked up and dropped off to the proper locations. Dispatchers will also be able to communicate with the buses instantly.
The retrofitting will also bring old buses to emissions compliance with new emissions and fuel efficiency standards. CPS anticipates that 90-percent of its buses will be in compliance by December 2009.
FULL STORY: CPS buses to be safer, greener
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research